Nothing on Jens Lekman's second album does anything to change the fact that he's a true pop music genius. Night Falls Over Kortadela is witty, pretty, silly, and wise; and filled with instantly memorable melodies, thrilling moments of surprise in the arrangements, and laugh-out-loud lyrics. As always, he draws from a wide range of musical influences, mixing in deft samples from sources as varied as Renaldo & the Loaf and fellow Swedes the Tough Alliance, and always sounding like a guy who is head over heels in love with music. This love translates into the joyous atmosphere that spills over the record like candy from a pińata as he leaps from disco-fied love songs (the blissful "Sipping on the Sweet Nectar") to doo wop-meets-hip-hop ballads ("Kanske Är Jag Kär I Dig"), from orchestral declarations of devotion ("And I Remember Every Kiss," with orchestra on loan from Enoch Light) to delightfully ramshackle rockers ("Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo"). Lekman mixes and matches sounds and genres like the world's most adept DJ, coming up with practically his own style in the process. It's hard to think of another artist who so gracefully blends the acoustic with the electric, the real with the fake. Lyrically Lekman sticks mostly to love, finding it, losing it, sacrificing for it (his story of being his friend's boyfriend to fool her father on "A Postcard to Nina" provides the album's lyrical highlights), but most of all believing in it wholeheartedly. He also shows his talent for capturing the small moments of life -- whether it's cutting the tip of your finger off while slicing avocados ("Your Arms Around Me") or worrying about your little sister ("The Opposite of Hallelujah") -- hasn't dimmed at all. Jens Lekman is a craftsman, a showman, and a magician all wrapped up into one tuneful bundle of joy, and Night Falls Over Kortadela is his best album. It'll have you walking in the clouds before the first song is half over and have you filled with happiness for days afterward. What more could you ask for?
Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedalaby Andres Jauregui • December 17, 2008Jens LekmanNight Falls Over Kortedala(Secretly Canadian, 2007)It's been a year since Jens Lekman released Night Falls Over Kortedala, and even though Sweden's favorite chanteur hasn't yet broken into the American mainstream—to the tune of, say, ABBA—the buzz about him today is anything but oh so silent.Lekman has b
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Just got back from Jens Lekman's SF show at Bimbos...I love this guy, but unfortunately...I think he was tired. Having gone to his show at this same venue last Fall, I have to say--while Jens is engaging, has beautiful pipes, and a solid band---last time was better...way better. He started out in charming fashion playing air-chimes and dancing along to his songs with choreographed hand motions-...
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Rating: (at the risk of losing all my street cred) 8.5I like to consider myself an equal opportunity music aficionado. There were times in my ignorant youth that, when asked, I would declare my love for "everything pretty much..except rap music. and country." It was later in life, when I discovered the joys of acquired taste, that I forced myself to sit down and actually digest music from the...
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This song is suweeeeeeeeeeeet! I love it. It's Jens in full-on cheery mode.
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I have had this Jens Lekman album FOREVER and have just been sitting on it...not so smart.It would have been a great summer album...the arrangements and the lyrics are bouncy without being overtly poppy...the guy can really craft a song.And this one I especially love...
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I am in such awe of good songwriters. They make it seem so easy. But have you ever tried to tell a story with emotion and melody in under five minutes? Not so easy at all.I am have been listening to Jens Lekman almost non stop for all of this week. The guy is so gifted when it comes to crafting a song...here is one of my favorite tunes of his...This song really speaks to me too...I had a great ...
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Just posted Hallelujah by The Helio Sequence yesterday. The Opposite Of Hallelujah, Jens Lekman isn't quite catchy. But name of track is enough to get me feel "What a Hallelujah!" p.s. don't want to be rude but this cover just blow me away.
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Rating: (at the risk of losing all my street cred) 8.5I like to consider myself an equal opportunity music aficionado. There were times in my ignorant youth that, when asked, I would declare my love for "everything pretty much..except rap music. and country." It was later in life, when I discovered the joys of acquired taste, that I forced myself to sit down and actually digest music from the...
More >
Just got back from Jens Lekman's SF show at Bimbos...I love this guy, but unfortunately...I think he was tired. Having gone to his show at this same venue last Fall, I have to say--while Jens is engaging, has beautiful pipes, and a solid band---last time was better...way better. He started out in charming fashion playing air-chimes and dancing along to his songs with choreographed hand motions-...
More >
Just posted Hallelujah by The Helio Sequence yesterday. The Opposite Of Hallelujah, Jens Lekman isn't quite catchy. But name of track is enough to get me feel "What a Hallelujah!" p.s. don't want to be rude but this cover just blow me away.
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Swedish pop musician Jens Lekman's second full length album entitled ??Night Falls Over Kortedala?? is slated for worldwide release October 9th.Lekman's publicist announced preorders for either the Swedish or US release will also receive a special bonus disk. which will be offered via the Secretly Canadian Webshop. Also,Jens' headlining US tour kicks off October 23(see below).Jens Lekman - 'A S...
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Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedalaby Andres Jauregui • December 17, 2008Jens LekmanNight Falls Over Kortedala(Secretly Canadian, 2007)It's been a year since Jens Lekman released Night Falls Over Kortedala, and even though Sweden's favorite chanteur hasn't yet broken into the American mainstream—to the tune of, say, ABBA—the buzz about him today is anything but oh so silent.Lekman has b
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Here's my picks for the top 10 albums of 2007 for you to agree/disagree with at your leisure. Selections were chosen using a secret formula based on an album's "objective goodness," originality, number of times listened to, and...who am I kidding, I just wrote down the first 10 I could remember.In no particular order:1. Okkervil River/The Stage Names 2. Menomena/Friend and Foe 3. Band of Hor...
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This song is suweeeeeeeeeeeet! I love it. It's Jens in full-on cheery mode.
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From my blog of limited edition records, bonus materials, imports, autographs, and all things pretty: SixtyWattIt continues...apparently this new Jens Lekman album is going to rule my blog for a bit longer. Jens' webshop, as well as his label's site (but they'd prefer you to order from elsewhere - shipping charges to the US are too high at the moment), have recently posted a preorder for a viny...
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From my blog of limited edition records, bonus materials, imports, autographs, and all things pretty: SixtyWattHow excited am I? A whole damn lot. Jens Lekman has a new album coming out (Night Falls Over Kortedala) and what does his Swedish record label Service do? They offer a bonus CD and keep their price ($15) and shipping ($3) so reasonable that if you're even remotely a fan, you're not wai...
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 "Night Falls Over Kortedala")
